Kansas fans

Sometimes sports can inspire good deeds and intentions off the court. Such seems to be the case with this year’s NCAA tournament.

Kansas figured to be a big favorite and winner against Austin Peay in the first round of the tournament, and the Jayhawks were overwhelming against the Governors in a 105-79 victory on Thursday. With the game figured to be a total mismatch, Kansas head coach Bill Self attempted to make a point of using the game as a way to raise awareness for the illness that the granddaughter of Austin Peay head coach Dave Loos and daughter of Missouri assistant Brad Loos is battling.

That message was received by Kansas fans, and following the Jayhawks’ victory, donations have been pouring in from Lawrence.

“I love the idea of Jayhawks showing love to others, especially a Mizzou family!” Kansas alum Camille Andress said in a report published by The Kansas City Star. Andress had challenged her fellow Kansas fans to donate to the cause organized by the University of Missouri. “I can’t imagine what the family is going through, and my hope is truly that they would just feel the love that can come from even a rival and have their spirits lifted.”

Earlier Friday, the campaign offered thanks to their former rivals from Kansas…

KU notebook: Jayhawks fan uses game to encourage donations for cancer research

After reading in The Star about Kansas coach Bill Self’s hopes that the KU-Austin Peay NCAA Tournament matchup could create more awareness for the illness of Rhyan Loos, the granddaughter of Governors coach Dave Loos and daughter of Missouri assistant Brad Loos, KU graduate Camille Andress posted th…

Of course, Kansas and Missouri have been long-time bitter rivals in most sports, but the two rarely square off much anymore after Missouri ditched the Big 12 for the SEC. Still, sometimes there are issues that are more important than sports rivalries. This was one of those special situations.

[Kansas City Star]

About Kevin McGuire

Contributor to Athlon Sports and The Comeback. Previously contributed to NBCSports.com. Host of the Locked On Nittany Lions Podcast. FWAA member and Philadelphia-area resident.